Emily Henderson's Blog, page 78

Secret Source: This UK-Based Store Sells Cheery, Anthro-Style Decor at Target Prices (+ Our 17 Favorite Pieces)

Here’s the truth: despite being EHD’s resident over-sharer, I’ve kiiiiinda been holding out on you over the last few years. Gatekeeping, if you will. I KNOW. It’s criminal! My job is literally to spill the beans on the best home decor resources – and I do try! – but as it turns out, there are a few (or, uh, more than a few) thrift stores, vintage vendors, and online retailers that I’ve selfishly kept to myself for a little too long…

Until right now. That’s right, folks: welcome to the first-ever edition of Secret Source, in which I highlight one of my favorite budget-friendly retailers. (Read: My apartment is finally starting to feel “done” – whatever that means – and I’m no longer worried about competing with millions of readers for cute and affordable home goods. SO…IT’S SHARING TIME. Let’s sell some stuff out!)

Today, I’m taking you across the pond and introducing you to my tried-and-true destination for cheerful gifts, whimsical decor, luxe bedding, and so much more. (Europeans, be warned: you may already know this one!) If you love the Anthropologie aesthetic but find that your style and your wallet aren’t always in agreement (uh, hi, SAME), this one is for you! I hereby present Oliver Bonas, a UK-based high-street shop that sells some VERY cute homeware. Wanna take a quick peek at some of their EHD-approved inventory?

Fringed Cushion Cover, $41

OK, CUTE. These large cushion covers are the perfect way to add a vibrant pop of color to your space, but they’re also an easy way to test out the fringe trend without splurging on a new piece of furniture. (They’re also a great alternative if you love this look, but can’t justify spending $125 on a single pillow.) I grabbed a pair in green and pink for my bedroom (my go-to colors, shocker!) but you can still nab them in navy and green, lavender and rust, ink and coral, and pink and wine red.

Mustard Cotton Placemats (Set of 2), $15.50

These embroidered cotton placemats are 100% cotton – what a score for the price, right? – and they’ll bring a really charming English cottage sensibility to your kitchen or dinner table. To finish the look, supplement with matching mustard cloth napkins (or these complementary blush napkins, pictured above!).

Striped Marble Coasters, $28.50

If you told me you spent $200 on these coasters at a store like Nickey Kehoe or Jayson Home, I would absolutely believe you. The striped marble is so elevated and polished – it’s a design-forward piece at an accessible price. (PS. These would make a great gift for your decor-loving friend!)

Green Ring Box, $21.50

The print! The tassel! The contrasting lining! This ring box feels like it would be right at home in Matilda Goad’s living room, don’t you think? I love small boxes like this for functional styling – it would look chic as a standalone piece on a dresser, but it’d also look so pretty perched atop a stack of books.

Bobbin Wooden Photo Frame, $36.50

This one was a really good deal (…and I also bought one a few months ago). Bobbin frames are normally pretty expensive – the comparable versions on Anthro are over $75, and it costs about $40 to DIY something similar – so finding a high-quality version (just wood, brass, and glass!) that can either be hung on a wall or displayed on a flat surface for only $36 is a total win. That green is such a perfect vibrant pop of color, too – it feels very Luke Edward Hall.

Whippet Ceramic Salt & Pepper Shakers, $25.50

AHH. So much charm. These vintage-inspired salt & pepper shakers are a modern interpretation of a classic canine motif. They’d bring a ton of cheer and whimsy to any kitchen or dining room, don’t you think?

Beaded Napkin Rings (Set of 2), $9.50

I know it’s fall, but don’t these have you dreaming of a spring dinner party? (Honestly, they could even be really pretty at Christmas if you leaned into that a sweet and classic red, green, and pink color palette.) There’s something about the beading that makes them feel a little more special and personal than a traditional napkin ring and I literally cannot believe that you can currently grab a pair for under $10.

Beaded Napkin Rings (Set of 2), $9.50

…or, if you’re a big ol’ freak and bugs are more your style (guilty as charged!!!), you cannot go wrong with these playful beaded insect rings. Do I own cloth napkins? No. But did I buy these with the knowledge that one day, I will own cloth napkins? I SURE DID.

Marble Pepper Mill, $47.50

It’s not all whimsy, though – there are some really simple, beautiful, heirloom-quality pieces available at Oliver Bonas, too. Case in point: this marble and stainless steel pepper mill which weighs a ton (in a positive way – it feels great to use) and works like a charm.

Gold & Glass Dried Flower Jewelry Box, $43

I’ve been thinking about these classic jewelry boxes since spotting one in the bedroom refresh Sara did for her parents – the mix of glass and brass is just so timeless. Plus, the dried flowers here are such a really sweet touch. (If boxes aren’t really your thing, it also comes in a tray form!)

Velvet Photo Frame, $27

ADDED TO CART. Own it, love it. And this velvet frame is just the tip of the iceberg – they stock SO MANY cute options. (I love this one with brass inlay stars, too.) For the record, we’re between seasons right now and fall collections should be dropping on the site any day now – I cannot wait to see what the new frame options look like!

Beetle Trinket Pot, $25.50

If you love the look of vintage brass but don’t have the time (or desire) to spend a morning digging through piles of stuff at the flea market, this trinket dish is for you. No one can tell me that this wouldn’t cost at least $80 at Anthropologie. (PS. The strawberry and butterfly jewelry stands are also still available if you’re interested!)

Strawberry & Elderflower Ceramic Candle, $29

LOVE. Is there anything better than a vessel that can do double duty? After this candle burns out, use the sweet ceramic strawberry to stash coins, ticket stubs, jewelry, candy…I mean, the world’s your oyster. (If you prefer a bright and citrusy scent, the lemon version is a bit larger and smells DIVINE.)

Velvet Jewelry Box, $43

Grab the small one for $27, the medium for $43, the large for $47.50, or a set of all three (you know, just in case you’re also hoping to have a moody photoshoot of well-lit boxes in your own home). They’re literally jewel-toned jewelry boxes, guys. Genius.

Whippet Bottle Opener, $21.50

It’s my go-to gift! (Is anyone surprised?) If you’re at a total loss as to what to gift someone – a coworker, an acquaintance, a hard-to-shop-for friend, perhaps? – you can’t go wrong with a fun beverage (beer is great, but local bottled sodas are also a great choice if they enjoy sugary beverages!) and a practical tool like this bottle opener. It’s a little more exciting than the standard-issue black and steel version, don’t you think?

Beaded Jewelry Box, $22

Be honest: are there too many beetles in the post? (To be fair, they’re definitely having a moment right now. I mean…remember the beetle-print bathroom tile we featured? SO GOOD. There are some newly released projects that have included similar entomological themes – I’ll drop some in the comments for us to discuss later.) ANYWAY. Would I happily accept anything to me if it were given in a charming little beaded and embroidered bug box? DUH.

Alphabet Glass Bottle Matches, $17.50

Final one, and I’m kind of cheating….because would these make a super cute gift? Yes. But would they also make a great, affordable DIY project? BIG YES. That’s what I love so much about Oliver Bonas – I’m consistently inspired by their styled shots and their inventory, even when I’m not looking to make a purchase. It’s a real treat when I can find an aspirational piece at a friendly price (case in point: those fringed pillows I mentioned up top!), but it’s just as special to find ideas for projects and products that I can tackle on my own, too.

A word of warning, before I leave you: shipping to America can be quick, but the website warns that it can also take an eternity (up to 6 weeks for certain pieces – I haven’t experienced that long of a delay, but I just want to make sure you’re aware). I think the wait is worth it – the quality:price ratio is great, so I wouldn’t mind an extra-long shipping window for any of my future purchases – but it’s something to keep in mind, especially when you’re purchasing gifts that need to be delivered by a certain time.

But with all that said…WHAT DO YOU THINK? How do we rate our first-ever Secret Source? WHAT SAY YOU?? See you in the comments… xx

*Photos via Oliver Bonas

The post Secret Source: This UK-Based Store Sells Cheery, Anthro-Style Decor at Target Prices (+ Our 17 Favorite Pieces) appeared first on Emily Henderson.

Real Reader Kitchens! 5 Dated Honey Oak Spaces & How A Design Expert Would Make Them Better

In the design world, at least as seen through the lens of the internet and social media, we’re so used to “perfect.” There doesn’t seem to be much room for “realistic” or even “good enough for now.” But the truth is, most of our homes do not look like all the photos hanging out in our saved folders and Pinboards. I’m guessing at least 75% of those of you reading don’t have kitchens plucked straight from the pages of Domino. A good majority of your cook spaces are likely just…normal. Maybe even—gasp—a bit dated.

I myself am renting a property with circa 2000s cherry cabinets, and am on a mission to work with them (not against them). It’s not easy, and it’ll never be my dream kitchen, but I’ll get it close enough to “pretty alright” with just a few additions and fixes. With a desire to help others get to their “pretty alright” states in their homes, I put out a prompt on the EHD channels for readers to send me pictures of their kitchens, specifically anyone with honey oak cabinetry. The darling of the builder world in the late 1980s, ’90s and early aughts, for better worse or for worse.

My inbox quickly filled up with photos of kitchens that looked plucked from my childhood, with calls for help in the body of the email. I sat with Jess one afternoon and whittled down the long list of submissions to five that felt varied enough to share some ideas that might be helpful to others here, as well.

The assignment for me was to cook up (ha!) quick-ish, affordable-ish solutions to bring the spaces out of the Seinfeld era without any significant renovation or upheaval. While every space could benefit greatly from new countertops and some fresh paint or wallpaper, there were some obvious themes that popped up for me when jotting down my notes for each. After some blog surfing and internet hunting on the subject, I found that most people with these orangey, yellowy, shiny cabinets tried to limit the wood and bring in freshness and light into the space as best they can (typically, with a lot of white, tbh).

You’ll see these suggestions peppered throughout the kitchens and my recommendations below, but in general, here’s what I think each of these spaces could use.

6 Rules For Honey Oak Kitchen UpdatesWhen in doubt, reduce the wood load. What I mean by this is to lose as much of the wood as you can while still having the appropriate amount of storage. This could mean taking down some uppers if you can spare them to keep the weight of the wood below eye level. Also, if an existing island is easily swappable, opt for a color or white to break things up. If it’s a permanent fixture, consider painting it a light color. The same applies to other wood in your space, including dining furniture and storage/display furniture. Find some contrast with these pieces either with a light wood, black or even a color; but definitely avoid trying to match the oak with more oak. The last thing honey oak needs is more honey oak. Find your drama moment. I think this is true for basically every room, but especially when you want to distract from something you don’t love. In this instance: the cabinets. Consider wallpapering, or going all in with a counter-to-ceiling backsplash where there is no cabinetry. Reduce clutter. Honey oak can feel very heavy, even without being a dark-stained wood. I’m guessing it’s the highly visible grain. Listen, coming from someone with a small appliance addiction and a toddler that has all the tiny things everywhere, I know what I’m about to say feels harsh and maybe impossible but…GET ALL THAT CRAP OFF YOUR COUNTERTOPS. Maybe not all of it, because there’s no sense in putting your toaster away if you use it twice a day, but look around and take inventory of what *really* needs to be out, and what can be stashed away. This will help immensely. Keep things light and bright. I sort of touched on this already, but the most successful “work with it” makeovers of honey oak kitchens I saw did not lean into any moodiness. Every space used white as much as they could (or pastels) and it was highly effective to balance the wood to make it feel more elevated and updated. That’s not to say you can’t layer in any charm if that’s your vibe. Keep the design moments in the rugs, curtains, backsplash and hardware. Go modern but not too modern. There’s a tough balance I see in dated rooms trying to pull themselves up by the bootstraps to err on the side of contemporary but all that does is make the dated part of the space feel even more dated. Avoid a stainless steel backsplash, ultra modern light fixtures and hardware, and the like. Don’t underestimate the power of some peel-and-stick. This option is either for renters or for homeowners who know they will be renovating down the line but want an update now without spending a fortune. Everything is peel and stick these days friends. EVERYTHING. Backsplashes (even real marble), countertop contact paper, wallpaper, hoods (kidding about this one, sorry). Put that temporary design power to use. Now, Let’s See Some Kitchens

Alright, the time has come to peek inside real people’s homes (yay!). Let me explain how I approached this project first, and then we can dive into each individual kitchen. First and foremost, I realized creating a moodboard a la my cherry kitchen post wasn’t going to be easy without knowing more about these readers’ styles, preferences and what the rest of the home looked like. So I did something else instead. Each home will include comments on the image of what I think they should try (remember, these are not permanent renovation ideas but more “good enough for as long as you want” ideas), and then at the end, I’m sharing a ton of product roundups that could work in any of these kitchens. Got it? LET’S GO!

Marisol: Stagnant In Sweden

I was instantly drawn to Marisol’s Sundbyberg, Sweden, kitchen. The light in there is so beautiful and it’s an amazing space that just needs a little love. Here’s a summary of what she said to me:

“We love the space of our kitchen, and the layout works pretty well. It’s an unusually large kitchen for an apartment in Sweden. But the style of cabinets, extractor fan, and tiles are not our personal preference. The kitchen also serves as our dining room, and we can expand our dining table to sit up to 10 people. When we expand the table, we change its orientation and have it perpendicular to our refrigerator and freezer. The island can be easily moved since it does not have any plumbing or electrical. I would describe our style as a mixture of timeless with a hint of modern sprinkled with souvenirs from our travels.”

What a great space, huh? It just doesn’t know who it is yet: a backsplash with country kitchen vibes, a modern island with barstools, some charm. Which is it? I think the best move from Marisol is to cover up the tile (again, a peel-and-stick would be an easy no-reno option here), change out the hardware to something a bit more classic, possibly in polished chrome, simplify the (fantastic) hood and change the island. Either something longer (though that might run too close to where they orient the table for company), but definitely something more traditional and white.

A smattering of drippy plants and maybe even some of her souvenirs atop the cabinets would make things feel more homey and eclectic.

It’s hard to tell exactly what color those walls are, but a warmer white (I will always and forever recommend White Dove by Benjamin Moore or even Chantilly Lace) would glow more in that beautiful Swedish light. Also, the large cabinet on the left feels like a giant compared to everything else. If it’s easy enough to take out and replace with a smaller display cabinet, that’s the move. If not, paint that puppy the same color as the wall (or a gorgeous minty green or Swedish blue). If it’s going to be large, it might as well be in charge.

A simple white or cream linen Roman shade on each window would bring some life to this side of the room. At first, I wanted to suggest a built-in banquette but that could be tricky with the radiator under the window (and maybe not work for their large gatherings). Instead, to balance the heavy wall of cabinets on the opposite end, I’d say add more shelving or even a built-in bookcase situation.

The table and dining chairs feel too modern; something more Scandinavian like a rush seat wishbone or stackable bistro chair surrounding a farmhouse table would be beautiful. The last thing I’d add here is a large swing arm sconce on the wall to act as a “chandelier” moment above the table.

Michelle: Builder To Better

I saw myself in Michelle, probably because we’re both moms to tiny humans and the bottles, sippy cups, pump parts just don’t quit. There’s never enough counter space with a baby, but sadly, in the layout of this space, I can’t really offer her a solution for more, like a standalone island. But, we can get this kitchen looking less tract home and more personalized. From Michelle:

“I live in a builder-grade home that hasn’t had any real updates in 15 years. The cabinets are in really good shape and functional so I would hate to get rid of them. The kitchen layout also works really well but is very cramped and small compared to the size of the rest of the home. I’d like to get rid of the microwave and replace it for a true hood or other alternative.”

First up, let’s get some hardware on these cabinetry fronts. Since the space feels a bit more modern, I’d go for a classic simple bar pull on the bottom and matching smaller knobs on top, both in a polished nickel or bronze, since the space can’t handle too much visual clutter due to its size. (Hot tip: Here’s a post the team did a while back on hardware placement since it’s not always obvious once that drill is in your hands!) The brackets under the breakfast bar could use a little updating, as well.

A rug here would help to separate the wood floors from the wood cabinets that are all the same tone. I can’t get a sense of Michelle’s style in any of those photos, but a lighter color with some pattern would be nice since the countertops are darker. And speaking of the countertops, I keep reading about people honing their shiny granite to help bring it into modern day stylistically and it looked great! I couldn’t find any straightforward answers on how much a project like that would cost, but one source told me roughly $50 a square foot. Not cheap, but considering new stone would cost twice that much at least, it’s something to consider.

Some fresh cafe curtains hung higher at least halfway up the window (3/4 works well, too) wouldn’t hurt.

And finally, like most of these kitchens you’ll see, adding in a backsplash would go a long way to feeling more up-to-date. A white picket-style tile or even a micro-stacked subway might be great here. Also, I know Michelle mentioned wanting a proper hood and getting rid of the microwave, which could be beautiful, but she’ll lose some cabinets in the process of building something like that in. Maybe something to wait on until there’s less baby stuff to stash away.

Alison: Serenity Over Storage

Alison’s was the first place I flagged to include in this roundup because there was a lot of room to play. Such a diamond in the rough we have here. The layout is already excellent, there’s tons of storage so it just needs a refresh. Here’s what she requested:

“Our kitchen needs some help. I’ve been working on some ideas, but would love another opinion! Storage near the stove is needed, but otherwise, we have plenty of storage to take out uppers or reconfigure things.”

This is the perfect example of one of my rules to lighten the load. Between the yellow double oven and hood, the mismatched appliances, the stainless textured backsplash, the mismatched island and rustic hardware, it’s A LOT.

Let’s start with the backsplash. I’m not sure if it’s those sheets that are glued or nailed onto the wall or individual tiles but they carry too much visual weight, in my opinion. They don’t look easy to cover so if they could easily be removed and replaced, that’s the way to go. Something hand-glazed (or hand-glazed looking) would work well here.

There appears to be an open cubby next to the dishwasher, which looks like maybe a good space for the trash can covered with a curtain? I really dig the oven situation actually, but the hood feels more dated. Even just a simple stainless hood to match the dishwasher would help (and if it’s in the budget, a matching fridge, too). As for soft goods, let’s bring in a simple runner in a green or blue and a cute cafe curtain in a coordinating hue.

Alison mentioned she didn’t need all the uppers, so the easiest place to start is taking down the ones to the right of the window (and maybe even left) to add some open floating shelving in white or metal similar to the ones shown here and lose some of the weight up top. Some new charming lighting and a lighter island and barstools could make a huge difference, too.

Something about the yellow tone of the walls makes the orange of the cabinets even more prominent, so I’d recommend painting all the walls and the closet doors either white or maybe even a super subtle pink (if that’s Alison’s taste…I know it’s not everyone’s). All the countertops seem to be old laminate, which could easily be covered with marble (or even just white) contact paper if they have the patience to install it. There are also plenty of DIYs on the internet for how to paint laminate and faux marble it (like this one!).

For hardware, I’d go for brass here: cup pulls on the drawers and matching flat knobs on the cabinet doors.

Kaitlin: Uppers Be Gone

Another honey oak kitchen with no backsplash, no hardware and very little life. What are these builders doing?!? But what Kaitlin’s kitchen lacks in character, it more than makes up for in storage space. WHICH MEANS WE CAN HAVE SOME FUN!

“We bought our house in January and have only made one (huge!) improvement to the kitchen: we painted the walls from a pepto bismol pink to an off-white. We know we want to make everything feel a lot more current and elevated, but we’re not sure what direction we should go in. Should we paint the cabinets, and if so, what color? Replace the cabinet doors with something like a Semihandmade and then paint? Can we make these whatever grey granite countertops look OK or would getting a different countertop make all the difference? What about a nice tile backsplash? How about light fixtures (the Tiffany glass isn’t me)? And obviously we need to update the white refrigerator because… a white refrigerator.

For reference on how the kitchen fits in with the rest of the house, the kitchen is part of a fairly new addition to the house (early 2000s) and the rest of the house is pretty old (1890). We’ve been redecorating the other rooms in kind of a slightly updated Shaker, eclectic, New England style (think: pretty wallpaper with a mix of antiques and modern furniture), so ideally this would look somewhat complimentary.”

Kaitlin seems the most open to overhauling this space, but in the spirit of this post, I’m not going to recommend anything too drastic. Yes, swapping the cabinet fronts and painting everything would go a looooong way to revitalizing this kitchen, but if not, there’s still a lot to do.

In the above view, you can see there’s an island in the middle that has an overhang breakfast bar, which frankly, is a bit odd. No one is going to sit with their backs to the stove just a few feet away. If the island is just floating over the floors, I’d give it the boot to replace it with an open freestanding island. They don’t need much more storage, and the room could use some airiness.

The grey countertops might look great with the honed or leathered treatment I recommended for Michelle. A cool linear pendant over the island would be great to hit that modern look Kaitlin mentioned wanting in here, and my note about removing the crown and adding in cabinet boxes would help make these look less dwarfed by the ceiling height. This is an example of what I mean.

Here, I want to recommend losing ALL of those uppers and framing the window in shelving (I think white shelves would be great here). I’d take the added backsplash up to the bottom of the top shelf and then wallpaper up from there (this is an example that Emily did in a recent kitchen reno). A Roman shade in a stripe would be wonderful against the print of a floral wallcovering. For the light above the sink, I’d ditch the pendant and go for a flush mount there instead or a sconce just above the window.

Caitlin: Cincinn-Saddie

And finally, we head to Cincinnati to see reader Caitlin’s large builder-grade kitchen complete with an awkward island (why is this ever a thing?). Honey oak floors, honey oak cabinets…it’s a lot.

“I was so desperate for a change that I searched high and low for a ceiling color to bring a little life into the kitchen (seriously, my paint samples made the ceiling look like a patchwork quilt). We have taken down several upper cabinets (somehow there was too much storage?) and replaced them with a pot rack and a range hood (which means our over-the-range microwave became a countertop microwave). We’ve got an odd L-shaped island, a sliding door pantry that is very impractical, and so many cabinets! I am desperate for drawers. We also have a strange little corner area with a shallow counter and more cabinets under the pot rack that I don’t know what to do with. In addition, our pot lids live on top of the refrigerator, which is an awful place for them, and both the garbage can and recycling bin live out in the open. I would like to have them concealed.”

Okay, let’s see here. We have a few places we can keep removing cabinetry. First and foremost, if this island can be swapped, let’s swap it. There are some great options out there that are drawer-heavy, which is what Caitlin wants and needs. And that little narrow cabinet on the right…let’s just take it out. A tall freestanding cabinet would be nice to break up all that wood, plus it would nicely tuck away her pots, pans, and all the lids that currently live on top of the fridge.

Caitlin mentioned an excess of storage and that she’d be happy to take down some cabinets, so to open things up a bit more, let’s pull down the cupboards around the stove hood. Adding shelves (and a backsplash up to the first shelf height throughout the kitchen) would modernize the space.

Again, take down some cabinetry, add shelving, and while the hardware here is perfectly fine, the size of the room allows for something a bit more stately or even something modern like a micro knob.

If they chose not to remove the island, I think it would be a solid place to install a pull out trash and recycling bin so we lose the visual weight of the black plastic can here.

And since she mentioned the pantry sliding door being inconvenient, in the future, if they’re open to it, reconfiguring this whole wall to be top-to-bottom cabinetry with an integrated fridge would be seriously groundbreaking to the room.

Phew, I feel like I just ran a “suggestion box” marathon there, but I really hope that was helpful. I know a lot of the ideas were similar across the board, but it seems that most of these spaces had the same issues. Small updates will absolutely make all the difference in how the kitchens feel to those using them every day, even if it’s not a full reno or reconfiguration. Let’s not make perfect the enemy of good (enough).

Now, for some shopping. I was pretty specific in my picks to find things that stylistically and colorwise would make sense with the honey oak color and general design aesthetic of all the rooms here. I’ll never be able to hand-select items for someone’s home without knowing much about their style and likes and wants, most of these things could easily be mixed and matched to great result.

1. Zellige Costa | 2. Smart Tiles Penny Sergio Green 8.97 in. x 8.95 in. Vinyl Peel and Stick Tile | 3. Mi Alma 6″x6″ Vinyl Peel & Stick Mosaic Tile | 4. 11” W x 11.2” L Stone Composite Peel and Stick Mosaic Tile | 5. 6″ x 7″ Stone Composite Peel & Stick Mosaic Tile | 6. InHome 19-in W x 20-in H Self-adhesive White Geometric Wall Decal

1. 1″ Diameter Spherical Knob in Polished Chrome | 2. Bradt Versa 8 13/16″ Center To Center Bar Pull | 3. Oval 4″ Polished Nickel HBar Pull Polished Nickel | 4. Vernon Bin Pull Aged Brass | 5. Marion 1-1/8 Inch Mushroom Cabinet Knob Ash Gray | 6. 4″ Belfast Solid Brass Cabinet Pull – Satin Brass | 7. Alzassbg 10 Pack Polished Chrome Cabinet Pulls, 5 Inch | 8. Modern Fluted Brushed Brushed Brass Cabinet Knob | 9. Kinney 6-5/16 Inch Center to Center Handle Cabinet Pull Ash Gray

1. William Morris Roman Shades | 2. Artdix Cordless Roman Shades Blinds Window Shades | 3. Printed Café Curtain – Set Of 2 | 4. Cordless Roman Shades Made to Order Blackout Sand Beige | 5. Johanna Hankie Café Curtain – Set Of 2 | 6. Riviera Striped Linen/Cotton Cordless Roman Blackout Shade | 7. Faux Linen Kitchen Curtains 36 Inch Length | 8. Farmhouse Roman Shades | 9. Jinchan Boho Kitchen Curtains Linen Tier Curtains 36 Inch

1. Imperial 35.5″ Pedestal Dining Table | 2. Plumas Walnut Dining Table for 6, Extendable | 3. Keener All Wood Round Dining Table | 4. Aya 94″ Charcoal Brown Wood Dining Table by Leanne Ford | 5. Odyssey Brass Dining Table | 6. Massena Natural Wood Dining Table, 72″

1. Florence Modern Farmhouse Rubberwood Dining Chairs (Set of 2) – Midnight Blue | 2. Clement Solid Back Side Chair (Set of 4) | 3. Henry Solid Wood 30” Stool | 4. TON 18 Bentwood Caned Chair | 5. Svelti Aloe Green Counter Stool | 6. Note Side Chair | 7. Walsh Stool (Set of 2) | 8. Hamm Dining Chair | 9. Ceylon Woven Counter Height Barstool

1. Francis – FRA-01 Area Rug by Chris Loves Julia x Loloi | 2. GioHand-loomed Wool Rug 2.5’x9′ | 3. Amber Lewis x Loloi Billie Ocean / Brick Area Rug 2’6″x9’6″ | 4. Comb Washable Rug 2’7″x9′ | 5. Natural Sycamore Striped Jute Area Rug 2’x8′ | 6. Alina Light Stone Rug 2.5’x7′

1. Henry Pendant | 2. Trade Winds Genevieve 2-Light Wall Sconce | 3. Presley 1 – Light Single Empire Pendant | 4.  Bezel Perforated Metal Pendant (16″) | 5. Aristo 12″ Wide Pendant | 6. The Creative Lamp | 7. Brashear Dimmable Pendant | 8. Handmade Rattan Lampshade | 9. Rodarte 1 – Light Single Pendant

1. Spence Wood Kitchen Island | 2. Vertex Closed Storage Bookshelf Cabinet | 3. Delaney Kitchen Console | 4. Arnika Dining Cabinet | 5. Frame Kitchen Console – Marble | 6. Hemnes Glass-Door Cabinet | 7.  Torniviken Kitchen Island | 8. Casement Black Tall Storage Cabinet | 9. Grayson Kitchen Island | 10. Mysen Walnut 70″ Cabinet | 11. Belmont White Kitchen Island | 12. Luna 72.88” Tall Accent Cabinet with Fluted Glass

Thank you to all the readers who submitted their kitchens, and to the selected few for accepting my comments. And to any readers who might have other easy suggestions, feel free to hop into the comments and drop those gems.

Your friend in design, Arlyn

The post Real Reader Kitchens! 5 Dated Honey Oak Spaces & How A Design Expert Would Make Them Better appeared first on Emily Henderson.

The Link Up: The Lipstick Em Wishes She Found Sooner, The Multi-Tool We Could ALL Use, And A VERY Exciting Announcement About The Team

Welcome everyone. We don’t have to tell you that this was a devasting week for the island of Maui. Watching those flames ravage so much beauty and history as well as leaving so many people without homes was beyond heartbreaking. If you have the means please consider donating. Here is an article with organizations from a Hawaiian news site to donate to, as well as articles from CBS News and Time. Also as we’ve been watching and listening to indigenous Hawaiians, they are asking tourists to avoid traveling to the islands. As you can imagine resources are extremely limited given its geographical location and size. More than ever those should be reserved for the people who live there. Thank you for reading this<3

Ok, now let’s talk about this week’s links…

courtesy of devolcourtesy of devolcourtesy of devolcourtesy of devol

This week’s home tour is a beautiful kitchen and pantry by deVOL Kitchens and Clarence & Graves. It’s warm and moody with the perfect amount of pattern! The furniture pieces are so special, the way the color of the stove is almost the same color as the wall cabinets adds a fun playfulness, and that striped wall is SO GOOD. Thanks deVOL for sharing with us!!

From Emily: All summer long we use Supergoop (I’ve been using the Glowscreen for YEARS) especially when we were in Arrowhead on the lake a lot (the face stick FTW). So when they reached out to partner it was a very fast YES. We use their Play sunscreen on us and our kids most of the day (as you know we are very sensitive to the sun) and I even started to use their lipstick that has sunscreen (really wished younger Emily knew to do this – the sun can be so harsh on your delicate little lips). Anyway, a big quick plug for Supergoop in every way. If you didn’t see the fun reel we made go check it out🙂

Also From Emily: We’ve been trying to post more video clothing reviews on our LTK so you can see how products look and move on an actual person (me). This week, we highlighted some of my favorites from Vuori: that’s the gingham volley skirt on the left (also in tall) and their new romper on the right (also in black). My only word of advice is to SIZE UP. Vuori can run pretty tight, but the clothes are SO soft and comfortable once they’re on! (I usually opt for a medium.) A few other pieces I’d recommend, if you’re in the market for some high-quality athleisure: these joggers, a really cute tank, a hoodie that drapes nicely, easy-to-style pants, and this super-flattering zip-up hoodie.

photo by kaitlin green

Ok ok, today is VERY special because we are finally announcing our newest EHD team member, Gretchen!! She’s so talented, learns incredibly fast, and just couldn’t be a better personality fit. Our last trip to Portland was the first time we all met in person and it was as if we had all known each other for a very long time. We are SO happy that Emily has such a great gal to work with every day and only wish we could all see each other more. And to give you a little visual example of Gretchen’s talent, Apartment Therapy just did a house tour of her apartment. DIY Queen! Needless to say, Gretchen welcome to the team OFFICIALLY! We are so grateful and pumped to finally have you<33

From Gretchen: Hey, y’all! I am SO HAPPY to be a part of this wonderful EHD team! Working with Emily (and Jess and Mal and Caitlin) is just incredible. So it’s literally part of my JOB to go to Target–can you believe?! Em and I were there a few days ago shopping for an upcoming shoot and I just happened to walk past the shoe aisle. Oops! These funky mules caught my eye and I just had to buy them. It’s the type of shoe that might be so ugly that it’s actually cute! I love the bone color, the chunky platform, but especially the rubber-like material. I’m telling myself they’ll be great shoes for the farm because they’re a breeze to clean, easy to slip on and go, and extra cushioned for those long shoot days.

From Arlyn: I love when I buy a super practical, useful gift for someone that ends up being just as practical and useful as intended. Enter: the Open-It! Multi-Tool I bought Charles for Father’s Day this year. We were constantly reaching for our kitchen knives and sheers to open packages and break down boxes, and they were getting dull from all the action. So in my hunt for a box cutter for the house, I found this. It has strong sheers that both cut and slide even on that super thick plastic packaging, a retractable box cutter, and a mini screwdriver with both a Philips head and flat head built right in. It’s basically the Swiss army knife of your utility drawer. We reach for this thing constantly! 

From Mallory: My everyday kickin around town sneakers are only $60 right now!! I paid close to $100 for them so this is a SOLID deal. I love a white sneaker for the summer/fall transition and these are perf

From Jess: Ok, so today I have two body wash recs. One is a splurge and one is a save:) When I recommend this splurge please know that I know how unnecessary it is to spend this kinda money on a body wash. But as a single, childless person who is a sucker for luxury products, I tend to spend more money than I probably should on everyday items. But I tried a sample of this a while ago and just thought the scent was intoxicating. Capitalism wins again! This body wash from Le Labo makes my showers feel like a luxurious experience. And as someone who honestly only showers because it’s mandatory, that’s important to me. I shower, I promise! It’s really all the after stuff like wet hair that I hate dealing with. I need to bribe myself a little lol. The scent is definitely more earthy/herbaceous than floral which is my usual preference in all things scents. ANYWAY, a mere two days after this wild purchase a friend of mine gave me this body wash that ALSO smelled wonderful and was a fraction of the cost. That one is a little more floral since it’s lilac and white tea, but not so floral that I wasn’t into it. Whew! That was a mouthful but if you have been on a body wash hunt hope these recs help!

From Caitlin: I’m a little late to the party on this one, but I’m REALLY enjoying Rainn Wilson and the Geography of Bliss on Peacock. We follow Rainn around the world – the first three episodes feature slices of life in Iceland, Bulgaria, and Ghana – and it’s the PERFECT show to watch right before bed. It’s sweet and earnest and hopeful and a pretty great addition to the “travel, but in an emotional way” genre (if you loved Parts Unknown or Searching for Italy, this is right up your alley).

Thank you for stopping by and see y’all tomorrow. Sending all of our love to Maui.

Opening Image Credits: Courtesy of deVOL

The post The Link Up: The Lipstick Em Wishes She Found Sooner, The Multi-Tool We Could ALL Use, And A VERY Exciting Announcement About The Team appeared first on Emily Henderson.

The Link Up: The Lipstick Em Wish She Found Sooner, The Multi-Tool We Could ALL Use, And A VERY Exciting Announcement About The Team

Welcome everyone. We don’t have to tell you that this was a devasting week for the island of Maui. Watching those flames ravish so much beauty and history as well as leaving so many people without homes was beyond heartbreaking. If you have the means please consider donating. Here is an article with organizations from a Hawaiian news site to donate to, as well as articles from CBS News and Time. Also as we’ve been watching and listening to indigenous Hawaiians, they are asking tourists to avoid traveling to the islands. As you can imagine resources are extremely limited given its geographical location and size. More than ever those should be reserved for the people who live there. Thank you for reading this<3

Ok, now let’s talk about this week’s links…

courtesy of devolcourtesy of devolcourtesy of devolcourtesy of devol

This week’s home tour is a beautiful kitchen and pantry by deVOL Kitchens and Clarence & Graves. It’s warm and moody with the perfect amount of pattern! The furniture pieces are so special, the way the color of the stove is almost the same color as the wall cabinets adds a fun playfulness, and that striped wall is SO GOOD. Thanks deVOL for sharing with us!!

From Emily: All summer long we use Supergoop (I’ve been using the Glowscreen for YEARS) especially when we were in Arrowhead on the lake a lot (the face stick FTW). So when they reached out to partner it was a very fast YES. We use their Play sunscreen on us and our kids most of the day (as you know we are very sensitive to the sun) and I even started to use their lipstick that has sunscreen (really wished younger Emily knew to do this – the sun can be so harsh on your delicate little lips). Anyway, a big quick plug for Supergoop in every way. If you didn’t see the fun reel we made go check it out🙂

Also From Emily: We’ve been trying to post more video clothing reviews on our LTK so you can see how products look and move on an actual person (me). This week, we highlighted some of my favorites from Vuori: that’s the gingham volley skirt on the left (also in tall) and their new romper on the right (also in black). My only word of advice is to SIZE UP. Vuori can run pretty tight, but the clothes are SO soft and comfortable once they’re on! (I usually opt for a medium.) A few other pieces I’d recommend, if you’re in the market for some high-quality athleisure: these joggers, a really cute tank, a hoodie that drapes nicely, easy-to-style pants, and this super-flattering zip-up hoodie.

photo by kaitlin green

Ok ok, today is VERY special because we are finally announcing our newest EHD team member, Gretchen!! She’s so talented, learns incredibly fast, and just couldn’t be a better personality fit. Our last trip to Portland was the first time we all met in person and it was as if we had all known each other for a very long time. We are SO happy that Emily has such a great gal to work with every day and only wish we could all see each other more. And to give you a little visual example of Gretchen’s talent, Apartment Therapy just did a house tour of her apartment. DIY Queen! Needless to say, Gretchen welcome to the team OFFICIALLY! We are so grateful and pumped to finally have you<33

From Gretchen: Hey, y’all! I am SO HAPPY to be a part of this wonderful EHD team! Working with Emily (and Jess and Mal and Caitlin) is just incredible. So it’s literally part of my JOB to go to Target–can you believe?! Em and I were there a few days ago shopping for an upcoming shoot and I just happened to walk past the shoe aisle. Oops! These funky mules caught my eye and I just had to buy them. It’s the type of shoe that might be so ugly that it’s actually cute! I love the bone color, the chunky platform, but especially the rubber-like material. I’m telling myself they’ll be great shoes for the farm because they’re a breeze to clean, easy to slip on and go, and extra cushioned for those long shoot days.

From Arlyn: I love when I buy a super practical, useful gift for someone that ends up being just as practical and useful as intended. Enter: the Open-It! Multi-Tool I bought Charles for Father’s Day this year. We were constantly reaching for our kitchen knives and sheers to open packages and break down boxes, and they were getting dull from all the action. So in my hunt for a box cutter for the house, I found this. It has strong sheers that both cut and slide even on that super thick plastic packaging, a retractable box cutter, and a mini screwdriver with both a Philips head and flat head built right in. It’s basically the Swiss army knife of your utility drawer. We reach for this thing constantly! 

From Mallory: My everyday kickin around town sneakers are only $60 right now!! I paid close to $100 for them so this is a SOLID deal. I love a white sneaker for the summer/fall transition and these are perf

From Jess: Ok, so today I have two body wash recs. One is a splurge and one is a save:) When I recommend this splurge please know that I know how unnecessary it is to spend this kinda money on a body wash. But as a single, childless person who is a sucker for luxury products, I tend to spend more money than I probably should on everyday items. But I tried a sample of this a while ago and just thought the scent was intoxicating. Capitalism wins again! This body wash from Le Labo makes my showers feel like a luxurious experience. And as someone who honestly only showers because it’s mandatory, that’s important to me. I shower, I promise! It’s really all the after stuff like wet hair that I hate dealing with. I need to bribe myself a little lol. The scent is definitely more earthy/herbaceous than floral which is my usual preference in all things scents. ANYWAY, a mere two days after this wild purchase a friend of mine gave me this body wash that ALSO smelled wonderful and was a fraction of the cost. That one is a little more floral since it’s lilac and white tea, but not so floral that I wasn’t into it. Whew! That was a mouthful but if you have been on a body wash hunt hope these recs help!

From Caitlin: I’m a little late to the party on this one, but I’m REALLY enjoying Rainn Wilson and the Geography of Bliss on Peacock. We follow Rainn around the world – the first three episodes feature slices of life in Iceland, Bulgaria, and Ghana – and it’s the PERFECT show to watch right before bed. It’s sweet and earnest and hopeful and a pretty great addition to the “travel, but in an emotional way” genre (if you loved Parts Unknown or Searching for Italy, this is right up your alley).

Thank you for stopping by and see y’all tomorrow. Sending all of our love to Maui.

Opening Image Credits: Courtesy of deVOL

The post The Link Up: The Lipstick Em Wish She Found Sooner, The Multi-Tool We Could ALL Use, And A VERY Exciting Announcement About The Team appeared first on Emily Henderson.

We Decided To Find The Best 15 Pieces At Nordstrom Rack (The Deals Are Almost Too Good)

Last weekend my friend and I went to Nordstrom Rack to return a couple of dresses she bought and grab a pair of heels she needed for an upcoming wedding. Naturally, I thought I would take a peek at some clothes since I’m headed east next week and could really use a couple of new pieces. Excited by the possibility as I entered the store, I quickly thought after a few minutes, “Nope! There’s too much to sort through and it’s too overwhelming. I give up.” Obviously, places like Nordstrom Rack have A LOT of inventory so you kinda need to go in there ready and I really thought I was. A couple of days later I was remembering that day and knew that I wasn’t the only one who gets easily discouraged by the idea of sorting through hundreds of clothing items despite still wanting a slammin deal. So to the internet I went and spent a good while on NordstromRack.com and found a plethora of truly great pieces to share with you all. Friends helping friends! In this post are 15 standouts but I pinned about 40 in total which you can check out on this Pinterest board. Let us know if that’s something you’d like us to do more! We almost always pin more than we post so we are happy to share it all:) Let’s get into what I found.

Seema Twist Front Taffeta Blouse

This top went from almost $400 to under $100! Veronica Beard is a very cool brand that I myself cannot afford normally. So seeing this very pretty blouse that has a great shape, doesn’t hug around the stomach area, and can easily last through the winter months was very exciting! A real dress-up, dress-down kinda top (as you can see above it looks great with jeans). And that bow and buttons on the cuff? Get outta here!

The Perfect Vintage Ripped High Waist Jeans

Madewell’s Perfect Vintage line will forever have my heart. I have owned multiple of this exact jean and I LOVE THEM. What is even better is that these are under $70 when I have always paid like $128. Basically, $60 off! I will say that they do stretch out a fair amount so maybe consider sizing down. Otherwise 10/10.

Seemly Ballet Flat

I have to say that I didn’t think I would cave to the trend but my 2006 heart wants a pair of ballet flats. These ones have a really pretty shape and come in EIGHT different colors. I think that paired with a cool top (like the blue one above) and those ripped Madewell jeans it could be a pretty. cute. look.

Smocked Long Sleeve Maxi Dress

This dress is giving complete Ulla Johnson vibes, right?! The draping, the collar, the cuffs. But this one is UNDER $50!! It also comes in an olive green option. I think this dress would look so pretty on anyone and for that price, I almost can’t stand it.

Austyn Strappy Sandal

Ok, so these were the shoes that my friend bought for the wedding she was going to. They were super cute in person and can go with soooo many kinds of outfits. Another dress-up, dress-down item! Actually, they feel totally in the same world as the ALOHAS heels I bought last year for a wedding I was going to…but much more affordable:)

Margo Sweater

Sweater season is going to get here faster than we think and this one looks so cozy. Well, actually according to our data, a lot of you are already preparing with your sweater purchases. I’m impressed! Aside from looking cozy, I love those sleeves and gentle color blocking. It’s also over half off from $200 so not a bad deal either:)

Daisy Blooms Shirred Puff Sleeve Top

This is another Madewell find that really screamed Emily and The Great to me. This one, of course, is very affordable and is such a cute end-of-summer, beginning-of-fall transitional blouse! And y’all know how we feel about a puff sleeve🙂

Allison Leather Moto Jacket

I have been wanting a cool leather jacket for so long! The ones I always want are just so expensive. This one was originally $700 (the price I usually see) and is now $200!!! I know that $200 is still a lot of money but for a great, quality leather jacket, the price per wear will be pennies in no time. Ugh I mean look at it! It might be in my cart as we speak…

Platform Chelsea Boot

I think these look so freaking badass. I love the idea of rocking white Dr. Martens in winter and still having the be totally wearable in spring. Plus a Chelsea boot is simply a classic. I don’t think you can go wrong with these.

Colorblock Blouse

So I know that the model isn’t really selling this blouse but I know in my bones that styled differently (think jeans and a leather jacket, and white Dr. Martens??), it would be so cool. It’s simple but bold and I might need to buy it to prove myself right:)

Floral Print Square Neck Seersucker Top

This is just a truly great top for fall and winter. The neckline is beautiful, the colors are wonderfully moody, and that little tie in the back is such a nice detail! No notes.

Upside Western Boot

Arlyn called it when she talked about mulberry being the color of the year for interiors. However, it’s also in fashion! These mulberry-colored cowboy booties are colorful enough to make an outfit really fun but also still neutral enough to go with so many colors and outfits.

Margo Floral Sweater

Show me a sweeter sweater! You might get close but this cream, floral little number has me wishing for that fall breeze. I think this would also be a really great sweater to wear during the holidays! It can be dressed up and go with any of the holiday colors should you want to mix those in:)

Slick Belted Double Breasted Trench Coat

Ok, now I really want it to be cold. I am IN LOVE with this coat. The green is so beautiful and the cut is completely classic. If you were to throw this on over leggings you would look super cool and put together. The green is just unexpected enough to be fun but not too “loud” if you want to avoid that!

Kable Sneaker

I am very much on the hunt for some white sneakers and these are a top contender. I love that there are a few other neutrals mixed in for dimension, the retro vibe, and the simplicity of the overall design. I know these would truly go with any outfit I own.

Well, that’s it for this post! I hope you liked it and if you were needing something you found it. Remember there are more options on this Pinterest board🙂 See y’all tomorrow!

Love you, mean it.

Opener Image Credit: Photo by Veronica Crawford | From: The 3 Stylish, Comfortable Pants I Wear ALL the Time (That Don’t Feel Like I’m Wearing Pants)

The post We Decided To Find The Best 15 Pieces At Nordstrom Rack (The Deals Are Almost Too Good) appeared first on Emily Henderson.

The Most Bingeable And Gripping Podcasts Series That Make Doing *Any* Chore REALLY Enjoyable

I listen to no less than 10 hours a week of podcasts, usually nearing 15 hours. It’s a real thing. Brian and I started listening to This American Life And Slate’s Political Gabfest in 2001 when we moved to New York for our subway commutes when the internet was a tiny little baby. Point is – we are podcast enthusiasts, more than any other medium for sure (besides design blogs of course). Now, I’m not sitting on my back porch staring at our flowers growing while listening, no, this is all while I’m doing something that was once menial, but with a podcast is now enjoyable. This is my dog walking and doing house chores time. The hobby turned into a real habit during lockdown when Brian and I would divide up the house on Sundays and clean for four hours straight, each taking a floor (the kids also did their chores and otherwise learned to not bug us). We actually came to love this time and it was only in the last two months that we’ve hired a bi-weekly cleaning service again – not because we were self-righteously rejecting the help, but because we legit enjoyed our podcast time that much (and there is a lot of dopamine you get from completing housework which we’ve now turned into yardwork for the summer).

But like all media right now there is just SO MUCH OUT THERE. I rely heavily on friends’ recs and some help from my algorithm to find the best podcasts. I listen to almost every genre, but they all HAVE to be entertaining – whether it’s psychology, self-help, parenting, news, culture/society, true crime, or comedy. They HAVE to keep me entertained. This is why I feel like I’m a great resource here for today’s list which is the best bingeable podcast series – i.e. the ones that you don’t want to stop listening to because you have to find out how it ends. Think “page-turners” and “unput-down-able” books. Today’s list will be less about single episodes (I’ll do that, too) and more 6-10 part series with a beginning and an end. Grab your laundry and a mop, because these will make your Sunday chores FLY BY.

The Classics – The Podcast Series That Made This Genre

I would be amiss not to go back in time for those of you who might have missed the podcast series that really made this form of media:

Serial, S-Town, Dr. Death, and Dirty John. Sometimes I want to listen to them again almost like watching a classic movie. These totally transformed journalism and frankly gave hope to an industry that is increasingly being forced to chase headlines (to all of our demise).

Important Gripping Cultural Stories

These were mind-broadening and highly educational and entertaining. These are the ones that you can’t stop talking about at dinner parties – big cultural stories/movements that make you smarter.

Rabbit Hole: A deep dive into how the Internet and social media radicalize people (specifically young men). Sounds boring, but totally gripping, I promise.

1619: A must listen to better understand Black American history. I learned so much. Extremely well produced with a momentum that drives but with really good pacing (there is a whole episode about racial appropriation in Yacht Rock).

The Witchhunt of JK Rowling: I can’t stop talking about this one – it documents the last 20 years of society, culture, social media, feminism, trans rights/backlash against trans rights, cancel culture, extreme religion, and even Harry Potter (??) … I wouldn’t be surprised it won many awards for brave journalism. Doesn’t matter where you land on any of those subjects, if you are a curious person you’ll enjoy this series.

Bone Valley: This bridges true crime and the justice system. It’s incredibly well-researched about someone wrongly fully convicted of a crime, serving decades, and how that even happened. It also goes into the childhood of the real killer which I always find to be a fascinating layer.

Nice White Parents: About a public school in New York and how white liberals don’t necessarily always put their money where their mouth is when personally challenged. Definitely forced me to take a look at myself after this one. Nimbyism anyone?

Cover Story – Seed Monday: About two White Fish billionaires and a potential sex scandal. A large subplot about how the super-rich are changing Montana, not for the better, and the pushback they are getting from locals.

Cover Story – A Power Trip: Y’all, this made me absolutely question how we might potentially use psychedelic drugs for trauma and PTSD therapy. Shows you how any industry can be corrupted and we shouldn’t just take “data” at face value.

True Crime (More Gripping Than Scary)

I need to give a caveat here – I don’t listen to any podcasts that give me fear/anxiety around my kids (aka missing kids, mysterious accidents, etc) which there are a lot of. Most of the true-crime I love is more white collar, cult, or sure, “creepy old murders” that they feel far away from my own life. I also don’t love the one-offs as much as other people but I also haven’t tried that hard.

To Live and Die in LA: Both seasons are so gripping and are about a mysterious disappearance of a woman in LA. And the publishing of these podcasts has led to information about who dunnit. Just excellently produced and as you can imagine, it’s someone close to them (which always makes me feel better somehow).

Root of Evil: The history of the Black Dahlia murderer, as told by his relatives who are younger journalists. This was fairly disturbing at times, but my goodness it was excellent and I couldn’t stop listening. They deep dive hard, and even after they prove the murderer, there is a follow-up episode that offers some hope and redemption re inherited trauma/abuse.

My Own Backyard: This was a huge story when I was in college so I was genuinely curious who did it. This podcast was so well researched with intrepid and relentless journalism that it actually helped bring justice. So good.

Looking For The Todt Family: Truly disturbing but I couldn’t stop. This does have to do with kids but the circumstances are so bizarre and family related so for whatever reason it didn’t give me anxiety (but totally creeped me out). Extremely unsettling (and generally not what I love).

Chameleon: Hollywood Con Queen: Not my favorite of them all, but a fun listen. Also, Wild Boys (second season) is also really weird and good.

Harsh Reality: The Story of Miriam Rivera: Really sad.

Suspect: Mislaid justice via a Halloween party crime – it’s so good. (I haven’t listened to season 3 yet).

Betrayal/Double Lives/Scams/Cults, Etc.

The Shrink Next Door: LOVED. Kinda Stockholm syndrome-y, and dealing with Hamptons wealth culture (always a favorite). So good.

Sweet Bobby: I stopped this the first time around because I felt it was the usual catfish story (which honestly I find myself not really relating to). But out of desperation I picked it back up and then it blew my mind. There is a twist. Just wait for it.

Twin Flames: UGH, SO GOOD. This is about a self-help relationship cult and how they guided people to do disturbing things in the name of finding their true love.

Scamanda: A blogger that uses cancer to make money from followers. Oof. I don’t want to spoil it for you, but as a blogger, I was gripped.

Betrayal: Definitely made me start tracking Brian on “find my phone”. As someone who is currently happily married, it’s honestly so hard to believe when people say that had NO IDEA about their partner’s double life, but the first season specifically feels so true and I had such empathy for her. The second season is your worst nightmare as well!

Escaping NXIVM: Growing up religious I have a real place in my heart for self-help or enlightenment cults. This is a good one.

OC Swingers: Exactly what you think it is, and then worse.

Queen of Con: Admittedly I didn’t finish this yet because I had heard so much about the ending, but it was good and felt like it should be included here.

Something Was Wrong: I loved the first few seasons then it fell off for me (now there are 17 seasons so I’m sure there’s some real good ones in there). But the first two follow specific relationships and how one person was unbelievably betrayed and manipulated.

Deep Dives Into Infamous News Stories

I love these because they confirm in my mind how much “growing the business” so fast is not always the healthiest choice and how we in America push for MORE MORE MORE at all costs.

WeCrashed: Loved it. Just another story of a dude abusing his power with greed and narcissism.

The Dropout (and Bad Blood – I think I listened to both, strangely): You might know the story too well, but if you haven’t seen the documentary or the TV series I loved this one.

Flipping The Bird: I mean, such a douche. It’s about Elon Musk, obviously, and his life and purchase of Twitter.

The Just Enough Family: SO GOOOOOOOOOD. It’s about a famous and rich New York family and how they reacted to and squandered their fortune. My old boss, Jonathan Adler, is on it a lot as he was great friends with Liz Lange – the heiress of the fortune. I signed up and paid for season 2 the second it was over (which I rarely do, and they still haven’t delivered).

What Podcasts Am I Missing???

I KNOW I’m forgetting so many – please leave them in the comments (for me, too!). And if you are into this I’m SO happy to also do a list of my favorite one-off podcast episodes in all my favorite categories (self-improvement, parenting, relationship, science, work/business, etc). Leave your favorites in all categories below!!!

P.S. If you are in need of long-lasting headphones that stay in your ears these are my all-time favorites. I don’t know how people do chores with AirPods in without falling out one million times a day, so I know that these look dorky but I literally couldn’t care less – they stay in, the battery lasts for 5-6 hours straight and they aren’t tiny so they don’t get lost easily. Hot Tip: I only listen with one in at a time (especially while walking) so even when the battery wears out I can just switch to the other side.

Opening Image Credits: Photos by Kaitlin Green | From: The Farmhouse Kitchen Reveal And All My Thoughts And Feelings About It

The post The Most Bingeable And Gripping Podcasts Series That Make Doing *Any* Chore REALLY Enjoyable appeared first on Emily Henderson.

3 Fresh Fabric Design Trends We Want In Our Homes

Welcome to an extremely fun design post! I don’t want to hype it up too much but it’s filled with inspiring photos and 3.5 trends that we think are mainstays since this isn’t their first time around the design block…they’ve just had a fresh makeover:) And actually, this might be our first fabric-specific trend post (it’s definitely the first one I’ve written). Now if you read Emiy’s kids’ bath reveal post (or watched the YouTube video) you know about her love of fabric. Oh and let’s not forgot the Japanese Boro fabric post too! Fabric adds so much texture, coziness, and uniqueness. So with that said let’s talk about our favorite trends AND give you some shoppable options too. The custom world can’t gatekeep these puppies…entirely:)

Contrast Piping

This trend is by far the biggest of the three. I feel like I’ve been seeing it everywhere and to my surprise, I LOVE IT. The team loves it too! We can’t get enough. So much so that both Em and I are considering designing beds with contrast piping and when Caitlin peeked at these photos (early access:)) her exact words were, “I NEED PIPING IN MY HOUSE.”

For me, I guess I’ve always thought of piping as a little too traditional for my taste but boy was I wrong. Sure, I’ll show you some examples that are more traditional but other versions that are modern in the best way. Let’s dissect.

design by sophie rowell | photos by chris snook and kane hulse

Both of these stunning spaces were designed by Sophie Rowell. As you can see she used contrast piping in both spaces despite their inherent style difference. One is more traditional with the other is more contemporary yet this detail adds such a fun moment to both. Notice the choices in materials, colors, and functionality of the pieces. For the sofa on the left, the colors are dark and rich, with a playful skirt that leans traditional. But with that darker piping, it helps to make the piece look and feel a bit more visually exciting and structured. As for the ottoman on the right, I LOVE the happy pastel colors that were picked up from the sofa’s fabric pattern. It feels modern, playful, and in that beautiful velvet, luxe!

design by shannon eddings | photo by molly culver

Keeping with the cool eclectic granny vibe, designer Shannon Eddings added contrast piping in a few spots in a recent project. I love mixing solid piping with fun patterns like she did on that cute window bench. Then for a more modern look, the gold piping on that club chair is so good. The colors feel unexpected but perfectly understated. The last little moment is on the pillows on the blue chairs. You don’t need to commit to a big piece of furniture to dabble in this trend! The brick-red piping adds a quiet visual punch that talks beautifully with the leather sofa, other pillows, and warm tones in the rug.

design by hayley bridget interiors | photo by will laird

Now it’s time to head into the more modern takes like these adorable chairs designer Hayley Bridget used in a recent project. Don’t they look chic?! When piping is used like this it adds a special structure that I just love. This particular fabric combo is fun because there’s already a grid pattern that the piping gets to play off of.

via nickey kehoe

Have you also seen this incredible Nickey Kehoe club chair? It has a vintage look yet feels so modern. It comes in a bunch of different fabrics but I have a soft spot for this one. My love for minty greens has only grown since I keep seeing them more and more in the most beautiful ways. Remember this home tour too?? But that dark piping really adds a sexiness, no? I can’t tell if I prefer darker contrast piping or light. I guess I don’t have to choose! But this photo is making lean towards team dark. You??

left: via jangeorge | right: via caravane

As I said above, I am heavily considering bringing some contrast piping into my apartment and the two photos above is the look I think I’m going for. Isn’t it so pretty?! It’s a little more casual with organic fabrics yet doesn’t feel too organic. Maybe it’s refined organic? I just love this modern take so much and desperately want to incorporate it. Stay tuned!

And as promised here are some shoppable options if you are in the market and love it as much as we do:)

1. Harrow Throw Pillow | 2. Outline Cushion | 3. Mae Indoor/Outdoor Pillow | 4. Stargazer Merrow Stitch Cotton Throw Pillow | 5. 100% French Flax Linen Scalloped European Pillowcases (Set of 2) | 6. Classic Cotton Velvet Pillow | 7. Adelina Velvet Pillow | 8. Chatou Organic Cotton Arctic Ivory Stripe Throw Pillow Cover | 9. Customized Pillow with Piping

I won’t pick favorites because my god I love them all! But if you only want to dip your toe then #4, #6, and #8 are perfect. If you want to go a little bolder with color then #2, #7, and #9 will satisfy that. And for those wanting something more “outside of the box” then look no further than #1, #3, and #5!

1. James 2-Seat Sofa with Contrast Piping | 2. Marnie Range | 3. Bench Gaspard | 4. Lynwood Square Upholstered Cube | 5. Mina Bench | 6. Harlow Contrast Piping Sectional

Now that Interior Define has a new owner things have been looking much better…including this incredible customizable sofa with contrast piping! Another retailer that makes customizable chairs and sofas is Maker & Sons. Their marketing is so good but not as good as that wildly sweet pink chair. What a dream! I know most of these are $$$ but Target to the rescue with that great little ottoman. See it’s a trend!!

Bullion Fringe

When I first pitched this post it was really just about the contrast piping and thin sofa cushions (coming up!) with the plan to do some more research. Caitlin immediately exclaimed, “bullion fringe!” Of course, I thought, “DUH! She’s right!” Much like contrast piping, it’s not like bullion fringe is new to the design world, quite the opposite actually. But it is currently having a big resurgence and we are not mad about it.

design by tamsin johnson | photos by anson smart

First I HAVE to start with this sofa, designer Tamsin Johnson (a personal favorite of mine) put in a recent project. It’s a showstopper, to say the least, and not only has that incredible fringe detail but also a pretty spectacular contrast “piping”. Ok, it’s more of a trim but a “trend two-fer” nonetheless!

via nickey kehoe

So Nickey Kehoe is also nailing the bullion fringe trend too! I love the super vintage fabrics paired with the ever-decedent bullion fringe. The drama it adds makes it look so cool and special. These chairs are also purchasable and come in a ton of different fabric options too (like solids and velvets if that’s what you’re after:))

photo by tessa neustadt | from: our modern english tudor living room

For a little throwback moment, remember Em’s vintage chaise from the Los Feliz living room (round one:)) when she first got it? We all loved the fringe so much! It just wasn’t right for the space. But clearly when she saw it for the first time her heart was drawn to that special detail.

left: sofa | right: accent chair

The market has some great options at a bunch of different price points. Take that ridiculously beautiful sofa on the left from Sunday Shop. If I had the money and space it would be mine! But luckily if you feel the same way but do have some extra space, Target has that wonderful chair on the right for $360 (and it also comes in cream which is on sale for $216).

via jpdemeyer&co

Speaking of “if I had the money” I’m having a lot of emotions over the fact that this pillow will never be mine. I’m obsessed with how the colors both contrast and complement each other in the coolest way. There’s visible style friction between the modern stripes and very fancy fringe. It’s simple yet feels so exciting to me!

Here are some more shoppable options:

Wright Sofa | 2. Fringe Velvet Pillow | 3. Pierre Fringe Titan Emerald Fabric Round Ottoman | 4. Vera Titan Pink Champagne Fabric Accent Chair | 5. Astrid Fringe Ottoman | 6. Chenille Tiger Handmade Pillow Cover | 7. Yolanda Upholstered Round Accent Ottoman | 8. Crapaud Chairs (Set of 2) | 9. Fenn Velvet OttomanFabric Blocking

That’s right! Gone are the days of a single-color sofa! Ok, obviously I’m kidding but I’m not kidding that mixing fabrics on upholstered furniture is highly on trend and I love it A LOT. Come to think of it I literally just realized as I’m typing this that growing up we had a two-fabric sofa – chocolate velvet cushions with a rust and gold floral linen-y fabric to contrast. What a combo Mom and Dad! Maybe that’s why when I started seeing them gain popularity I couldn’t get enough.

design by zoe feldman design | photo by stacy zarin goldberg

Let’s look at the very talented Zoe Feldman team and the sofa they put in their Georgetown Project! I just love that it’s most definitely a statement sofa but since they used a solid color for the cushion, the bold pattern of the frame doesn’t take all the attention in the room. It’s also great to see a modern version of this since a lot of examples lean it a bit more traditional or “eclectic granny” which I love too!

design by sophie rowell | photo by chris snook and kane hulse

Like this one! It’s soooooo great but I don’t think anyone is calling this sofa’s style modern. Now, if you count the pillows this sofa has SEVEN fabrics on it which gives it so much depth and soul. I would happily plop right down and cozy up with a cup of tea…basically just living out my British fantasy.

Judarn Sculptural Chair | Jordan Leather Swivel Chair | Delaney Chair

Usually, this is a custom job but more and more there are retailers that are offering pieces like this (at least in the US). Anthropologie is definitely one as proven by the photos above! I really love the chair on the fair left. The pattern and colors are so beautiful. If you like this idea but strictly stick to neutrals the middle chair is perfect for you. Then the chair on the right is a secret two-fabric chair because the arms are the second fabric! Very sweet for a traditional style home.

Incoming Trend…Thin or Stacked Sofa Cushions

Ok. So this is one I am keeping my eye on. It seems as though it is very popular in Europe but could be become more international veeery soon! When I was in Paris with my dad, the sofa I slept on in his apartment rental had a sofa with two different thin cushions stacked on top of each other like the ones I’m about to show you. It looked so beautiful and chic and was surprisingly comfortable. The owners chose two different fabrics for the two cushions – a golden velvet and an oatmeal linen (and are potentially my inspiration for my bedroom:))

via berengere leroy

Those think cushions are what I’m talking about! I love that there are a few ways to design them. You can choose to have both sides of the cushion contrast the frame fabric, use the same fabric as the frame, or just choose one side to be a different color.

via berengere leroy

Here you can see how they can be stacked. This example is A LOT of them but I think that’s because it’s a product shot for this brand and not the norm. I really wish I had snapped a picture of the ones I slept on because there were just two.

via caravane

If you really love this idea I’m sure you could get one made or search for one on the Internet. Again, I feel this trend coming stateside. It’s just a feeling but keep your eye out:)

Thanks for reading and hope it was fun! Maybe even a little inspiring? Let me know if you feel the same about these trends and have a great rest of your day.

Love you, mean it.

Opening Image Credits: Design by Zoe Feldman Design | Photo by Stacy Zarin Goldberg

The post 3 Fresh Fabric Design Trends We Want In Our Homes appeared first on Emily Henderson.

How We Added Panel-Ready “Hidden” Appliances Without Replacing All The Cabinets

Some of us are pro-showing off appliances and some of us want to hide them or diminish their visual impact. I land firmly in the “hide” camp because I want so many other design elements to be the star. The good news is that more and more appliance companies are making panel-ready fridges/dishwashers and they are getting less and less expensive. So today we are tackling how to get panel-ready appliances, fully integrated into your kitchen WITHOUT redoing your cabinetry (likely the most expensive part of any kitchen remodel). This was exactly what we did for the West Linn kitchen remodel – we didn’t have the time or budget to replace the cabinets (nor did we need to at all – they were fine and just needed some paint). So here is how we did this and what we learned.

The kitchen was on the smaller side so the appliances really would have stood out had we not integrated them (especially with the dark green color we wanted). We only needed a fridge panel and a dishwasher panel. We went to Basco in Portland and bought the only panel-ready fridge and dishwasher that they had in stock in Portland (we didn’t have time to risk lead time issues).

So how do you turn that into the below???

TIP #1: You HAVE To Order A “Counter-Depth” Fridge That’s “Panel-Ready” Or “Integrated”

You can’t just panel a normal fridge (at least not to my knowledge). To get the integrated look this has to be very specific. These things look ugly without the panel and yet they don’t come with a panel. I think a major hole in the market is fridges that come with a panel, primed and ready to be painted. If I were an appliance manufacturer I would offer 2-3 profiles (flat panel, shaker, and maybe a micro shaker with just a small trim piece?). In my opinion, so many people want this look without having to hire a cabinet maker to do it (it’s expensive as you’ll see below) so if the manufacturer fabricated them to be already on the fridge and primed, I think it could be a huge hit.

TIP #2: Find A Cabinet Maker Or Carpenter To Do A Small Job

Y’all, this is probably the hardest part. Maybe now that the huge renovation boom is slowing down you might be able to find a cabinet maker to do this job, but it’s small and that’s less attractive to them (which I get – it’s like hiring a designer to do 1/2 a bathroom). So they are going to charge more for their time to make it worth it to them (which I also get). My brother Ken had a few connections and as a new GC they knew that they could get future business with him so he was able to maneuver this job. You can also find a really good carpenter that might do this – it is very precise TBH, and not something that I would do myself. So just know that this will seem more expensive than it should be, and that is because it’s not really a service that they necessarily want to do (but again, this is a growing need so maybe it will become more commonplace).

Our needs were pretty simple but not something we could do ourselves – we would need to demo out the existing fridge cabinet surround to fit our new fridge specs (which weren’t that different, but we wanted to take it to the ceiling and add a cabinet above it) and then have a new fridge cabinet with upper cabinets fabricated.

TIP #3: Measure And Template

The biggest challenge is getting the panels to fit PERFECTLY – this can be a huge challenge that often requires multiple attempts. For our kitchen, Jamie had to tweak it for days to make it fit exactly and not settle in a way that would make the panels bump into each other. You can’t just go off the specs – they are often slightly off. “Fun fact” – since the pandemic, when the demand rose so high, the quality or exactness of many appliances have gone down because the companies were hiring and didn’t have time to train up the employees fast enough. So anecdotally we’ve heard from multiple contractors that things are more “off” than they used to be.

TIP #4: Construct Off-Site Of Contrast On-Site?

The carpenter or cabinet maker might want to construct the panel off-site, but they need to measure on-site and then install on-site (at least that’s how we did it). They install by screwing from the back into the wood.

TIP #5: Paint Boxes And Panels On Site

We obviously had to paint the boxes on-site, but our painter really wanted to take the panels and paint them off-site (like they did with the rest of the cabinet doors and drawer fronts). They always prefer to spray rather than roll cabinets (this is due to the type of paint and wanting the most even finish) and they can do that better in a spraying room off-site. But I’m telling you, getting them back on PERFECTLY is extremely difficult. Our cabinet dude had to come back THREE TIMES because every time he thought it was perfect, it just wasn’t (either wasn’t straight or the dimensions were a teeny tiny bit off). This isn’t uncommon – Jamie from ARCIFORM said that it’s just a highly precise process and often requires multiple attempts. I suppose this is why they don’t want to do this small but hard of a job and why it costs so much.

TOTAL COST Of Fridge And Dishwasher Paneling

So just to construct and install the fridge cabinet (with the upper cabinets above it) and the panels on the front of the fridge and dishwasher was $3,500. This did not include painting the cabinets or installing the hardware (which was wrapped up in a larger bid, but I think the whole room to paint was around $6k). It’s one of those things that is more expensive than it seems like it should be, but due to the craftmanship required, we weren’t surprised and we all thought was totally worth it. Ultimately, this is for people who are seriously design enthusiasts where the look matters a lot. This is for beautiful form, not practical function:). But for people like me, it was something that we needed to build into the budget and I feel made a huge difference in the overall design of the kitchen 🙂

*Design by Emily Henderson and Sarah Weldon
**Styled by Emily Henderson and Emily Bowser
***Pretty After Photos by Steven Mcdonald

The post How We Added Panel-Ready “Hidden” Appliances Without Replacing All The Cabinets appeared first on Emily Henderson.

How We Added Panel-Ready “Hidden” Appliances Without Replacing All Your Cabinets

Some of us are pro-showing off appliances and some of us want to hide them or diminish their visual impact. I land firmly in the “hide” camp because I want so many other design elements to be the star. The good news is that more and more appliance companies are making panel-ready fridges/dishwashers and they are getting less and less expensive. So today we are tackling how to get panel-ready appliances, fully integrated into your kitchen WITHOUT redoing your cabinetry (likely the most expensive part of any kitchen remodel). This was exactly what we did for the West Linn kitchen remodel – we didn’t have the time or budget to replace the cabinets (nor did we need to at all – they were fine and just needed some paint). So here is how we did this and what we learned.

The kitchen was on the smaller side so the appliances really would have stood out had we not integrated them (especially with the dark green color we wanted). We only needed a fridge panel and a dishwasher panel. We went to Basco in Portland and bought the only panel-ready fridge and dishwasher that they had in stock in Portland (we didn’t have time to risk lead time issues).

So how do you turn that into the below???

TIP #1: You HAVE To Order A “Counter-Depth” Fridge That’s “Panel-Ready” Or “Integrated”

You can’t just panel a normal fridge (at least not to my knowledge). To get the integrated look this has to be very specific. These things look ugly without the panel and yet they don’t come with a panel. I think a major hole in the market is fridges that come with a panel, primed and ready to be painted. If I were an appliance manufacturer I would offer 2-3 profiles (flat panel, shaker, and maybe a micro shaker with just a small trim piece?). In my opinion, so many people want this look without having to hire a cabinet maker to do it (it’s expensive as you’ll see below) so if the manufacturer fabricated them to be already on the fridge and primed, I think it could be a huge hit.

TIP #2: Find A Cabinet Maker Or Carpenter To Do A Small Job

Y’all, this is probably the hardest part. Maybe now that the huge renovation boom is slowing down you might be able to find a cabinet maker to do this job, but it’s small and that’s less attractive to them (which I get – it’s like hiring a designer to do 1/2 a bathroom). So they are going to charge more for their time to make it worth it to them (which I also get). My brother Ken had a few connections and as a new GC they knew that they could get future business with him so he was able to maneuver this job. You can also find a really good carpenter that might do this – it is very precise TBH, and not something that I would do myself. So just know that this will seem more expensive than it should be, and that is because it’s not really a service that they necessarily want to do (but again, this is a growing need so maybe it will become more commonplace).

Our needs were pretty simple but not something we could do ourselves – we would need to demo out the existing fridge cabinet surround to fit our new fridge specs (which weren’t that different, but we wanted to take it to the ceiling and add a cabinet above it) and then have a new fridge cabinet with upper cabinets fabricated.

TIP #3: Measure And Template

The biggest challenge is getting the panels to fit PERFECTLY – this can be a huge challenge that often requires multiple attempts. For our kitchen, Jamie had to tweak it for days to make it fit exactly and not settle in a way that would make the panels bump into each other. You can’t just go off the specs – they are often slightly off. “Fun fact” – since the pandemic, when the demand rose so high, the quality or exactness of many appliances have gone down because the companies were hiring and didn’t have time to train up the employees fast enough. So anecdotally we’ve heard from multiple contractors that things are more “off” than they used to be.

TIP #4: Construct Off-Site Of Contrast On-Site?

The carpenter or cabinet maker might want to construct the panel off-site, but they need to measure on-site and then install on-site (at least that’s how we did it). They install by screwing from the back into the wood.

TIP #5: Paint Boxes And Panels On Site

We obviously had to paint the boxes on-site, but our painter really wanted to take the panels and paint them off-site (like they did with the rest of the cabinet doors and drawer fronts). They always prefer to spray rather than roll cabinets (this is due to the type of paint and wanting the most even finish) and they can do that better in a spraying room off-site. But I’m telling you, getting them back on PERFECTLY is extremely difficult. Our cabinet dude had to come back THREE TIMES because every time he thought it was perfect, it just wasn’t (either wasn’t straight or the dimensions were a teeny tiny bit off). This isn’t uncommon – Jamie from ARCIFORM said that it’s just a highly precise process and often requires multiple attempts. I suppose this is why they don’t want to do this small but hard of a job and why it costs so much.

TOTAL COST Of Fridge And Dishwasher Paneling

So just to construct and install the fridge cabinet (with the upper cabinets above it) and the panels on the front of the fridge and dishwasher was $3,500. This did not include painting the cabinets or installing the hardware (which was wrapped up in a larger bid, but I think the whole room to paint was around $6k). It’s one of those things that is more expensive than it seems like it should be, but due to the craftmanship required, we weren’t surprised and we all thought was totally worth it. Ultimately, this is for people who are seriously design enthusiasts where the look matters a lot. This is for beautiful form, not practical function:). But for people like me, it was something that we needed to build into the budget and I feel made a huge difference in the overall design of the kitchen 🙂

*Design by Emily Henderson and Sarah Weldon
**Styled by Emily Henderson and Emily Bowser
***Pretty After Photos by Steven Mcdonald

The post How We Added Panel-Ready “Hidden” Appliances Without Replacing All Your Cabinets appeared first on Emily Henderson.

EASY RENTER TIP! 7 Unique (& Surprisingly Helpful) Ways To Use Curtains In Your Rental (Well, Actually All Homes)

As someone who has rented since my college years, I’ve lived in my fair share of apartments with what I refer to as the “Landlord Eyesore.” There was my senior-year college apartment that came equipped with mirrored closet doors directly across my bed so all I saw all day and night was my own reflection. Then my first solo place had a “pantry” that was really just a nook with wire shelving and no doors so all visitors could see my Triscuit boxes from the sofa. The next spot was super dated (but with an amazing view up on the sixth floor), though the worst offender was a shower-tub combo decked out with shiny yellow brass hardware and a frosted glass door etched with a heron standing in tall grass. The hallway from my bedroom to the bathroom was fully flanked by more shiny brass and mirrored doors, so my heron buddy could be seen from every angle. 

So far, I’ve lucked out here in Los Angeles but have seen more LETM in places I walked through to potentially rent or in friends’ homes. My usual move either for myself while considering a home or when my friends complain about a certain detail is as follows: Put a curtain on it. There are few things that cannot be solved with a curtain, dear readers. They provide privacy where convenient, disguises where needed and even visually improve flow and use of space. That’s right, curtain panels are essentially the Swiss army knife of the design world, and I’m going to walk you through seven examples where they can save the day. 

Cheap (Or Broken) Closet And Laundry Closet Doors

A month or two ago, I shared the plans I have to take my rental kitchen from “meh” to “me” and it included taking down the bifold laundry closet doors (shown above). They’re cheap-y hollow core doors that we can’t seem to ever sit straight and have some chips in the paint. When I first brought this up, a few readers told me not to do it for one reason or another, but I gotta tell you…I’m doing it (we can store them in the garage thankfully; not everyone has this option). 

I plan on either using a tension rod to hang them within the frame or a simple rod installed on the inside so it’s a bit more polished looking. A secret third option is leaving the doors (they provide good soundproofing with the loud laundry machines in there) and using a track system or even just a traditional drapery rod to hang curtains in front of the doors. It might be a little annoying to open the curtains to access the laundry closet doors but it would only take seconds and is worth it to me to get the aesthetic payoff I’m hoping for. 

left: photo by tessa neustadt | from: our master bedroom – finally | right: photo by tessa neustadt | from: our master bedroom reveal

Here’s one more example, but this time from two of Emily’s previous homes, and for a bedroom closet instead. In her Glendale home (left), the pocket door she had was broken so instead of spending the money to fix it, she just repurposed a vintage bedspread into curtain panels. Cute! And in her Los Feliz house (right), she gave her closet the same drapery treatment. The look is soft, romantic, and a chance to either match your wall color or have some fun with pattern and contrasting hues. It also saved a lot of real estate not needing to worry about needed space for a door to open.

Mirrored Anything  photos and design by molly madfis via almost makes perfect

Woo-wee have I seen my fair share of mirrored walls and closet doors. Having lived in Boca Raton, Florida, for eight years will do that to a person. I recall a condo I was looking to rent that used mirrors like most people use paint. I mean, they were on EVERY wall in the living room. It was a funhouse in there. I didn’t end up getting that place (thankfully for my vertigo) but my head spun around with ideas for how to fix it. Peel-and-stick wallpaper? A ton of privacy screens set up in front? Frankly, there just wasn’t a solution for that much reflection. But if your house has a normal application, like say…on one wall of your entry or dining room where they’re usually found, and you don’t jive with the look: Put. Up. A. Curtain. 

I recommend picking something that matches your wall color so it’s more visually seamless. You don’t really want it to be a “moment” so much as a “concealer.” Try using a rod if you have the ability to mount it to the wall, but a ceiling track is likely your best bet. Or even a temporary curtain rod holder that sticks to any surface (no screws needed so perfect for mirrors! Make sure you have enough width so that they drape like normal panels rather than being flat across your wall. 

Before moving on, let me share another example but this time with mirrored sliding closet doors. If you don’t know Molly Madfis from Almost Makes Perfect, she’s worth a follow. As you can see in the before and after photos above, she removed the mirrored doors (I’m assuming) both for form and function. If you’ve ever had these super wide closet doors that slide in front or behind the other, you know you spend half your life moving the doors left and right to access what you need. Grab your pants on the right, slide the door, grab your shoes on the left. Woop! Forgot your belt, slide the door back. And so on and so forth. 

Anyhow, the key to a clean look either against a wall or in place of doors is hemming the panels to hover *just* over the floor, about half an inch or so so that they’re not bunching up.

Frosted Shower Or Tub Doorsleft: san soucie art glass | right: glassdoor.us

I already referenced my heron-bedazzled tub door that would have fit any of the bathrooms in the 1980s Miami Beach home of The Golden Girls, but I didn’t share what I did to rectify the problem. Honestly, it’s the most “duh, of course” option in the bunch, but it can’t be overlooked. Put up a shower curtain. Done. I mention this here because I had some people come over who admitted to me they would have “never thought” of that. Chances are, if you’re reading this blog, you are not one of these people, but hey, we’re all busy with weighed-down brains full of daily to-dos. Maybe it didn’t occur to you. Just look at the difference in the two images above when I Photoshopped in a shower curtain to cover the doors.

You’ll want to hang your tension rod as high up to the ceiling as you can to cover it all up, and obviously yes, open the curtain before you open the door, but it’s worth the two seconds of effort to have a bathroom that you want to spend time in. 

Vertical Blindscurrent ugly vertical blinds untouched | if i removed the blinds and added cafe curtains | if i left the blinds and covered them with traditional panels

(are you tired of hearing me bemoan having to leave it?) had beautiful original casement windows with not awful wooden blinds over them for privacy and light control. Our new place blessed us with allllll the vertical blinds. On every window and sliding door. Most of them are broken and many a curse word has been uttered while opening and closing them on the daily. Not to mention they’re just plain ugly. While we did take down the ones in our living room that had a long unsafe-for-a-toddler cord, I have been known to just put up a curtain rod and curtains above the existing headrail and call it a day. See, easy!

With that option, you just want to make sure you open the blinds fully and they’ll essentially just always stay nested on one side behind the curtains. Yes, the headrail beneath the rod isn’t the most beautiful thing you’ll ever see, but I promise after a while, you’ll stop seeing it. 

If instead, you take your vertical blinds down, it’s important to store them well so that they are in good shape to put back up when you move. You’ll need to snap each individual blind off carefully then stack them neatly and wrap something (painter’s tape works great) around them to keep them together. If the track has a cord, wind it up neatly and use a hair tie or string to keep it from getting tangled. You can put it all at the back of a closet that’s long enough, under your bed, or in a garage if you have one. 

Above, I mocked up a shot of the window in my current dining room with the (broken) vertical blinds, some cafe curtains (which would require me taking down the vertical blinds), and traditional panels which I could install in front of the blinds if the space above the window were tall enough to actually install a rod.

Too-Open Floorplan Or Studio Spaces With No Wallsdesign by megan hopp | photo by kelsey ann rose | from: megan hopp’s rollercoaster ride into homeownership + what she plans to do with a $25k construction budget

Ahh an exposed bedroom…everyone’s dream…right? Of course not. This may only be the case for city dwellers but let’s just say you have a bedroom (or any space, really) that opens up to a main living area and you wish it didn’t? You guessed it: Curtains to the rescue. Designer Megan Hopp sectioned off her sleep space in the Brooklyn home she lived in a few years back with yellow velvet IKEA SANELA curtains (I had these same ones in green in my old dining room). If you have an arched opening, you’ll want to install them on a curtain rod on either side of the wall, though my vote is opposite of any main living space as Megan did. 

I don’t have a photo of it to show you here, but I’ll likely be doing something similar in my bedroom because evidently in the ‘70s, it was super popular to have a vanity and sink IN the bedroom, not closed off by a door. Thanks to this genius design decision someone made decades ago, I have a clear shot of our toothbrushes from my spot in bed. Also, it would be nice to have some privacy while I inspect and squeeze my pores every night. Some things in a marriage should be more mysterious…

photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: jess’ studio apartment living room reveal

Jess, actually did something similar in her last studio apartment too! It really helped to define the different zones which is so crucial in a studio. Those are also from IKEA:)

Bad Kitchen Cabinets Or Openingsdesign by julia marcum | photo courtesy chris loves julia

Don’t forget about cabinets/sink areas! This can go country kitchen REALLY fast and if you love that look, go for it, but if you don’t, be sure to opt for a simple fabric rather than something with a print. Usually, it’s just an under-sink area that needs covering, but you can also employ this curtain trick if you have janky cabinet doors you want to take off, there’s an open spot in the bottom half of your kitchen while you await the installation of something (like the example here from Chris Loves Julia), or you want to bring in some character and softness to a utilitarian space if that’s what you’re working with. 

Disguising Clutter Or A Messy Display Cabinetdesign by emily henderson | photo by ryan liebe | from: my powder room reveal

At this point, I should probably go ahead and retitle this post “All the Ways Arlyn Plans on Using Curtains in Her Apartment to Hide Ugly Things” because that’s where we’re at basically. But alas, my own personal visual example is not yet ready (stay tuned for an update on my kitchen); rather, it’s an image from Emily’s powder bath in her previous Los Feliz home. While most of us will not have a custom vanity that needs the curtain/fabric treatment, it’s a great example of how to cover up clutter inside a furniture piece. Say you have a display cabinet in your kitchen or dining room that you wish wasn’t in fact on display. Installing a small curtain inside the doors is a fairly quick fix. Check out this Reel from Grillo Design who did this in a vintage piece she was using as her pantry to see how to do it. 

I truly hope something here was a lightbulb moment for covering up a Landlord Eyesore (or even if you’re not a renter, something in your home you can’t stand looking at anymore). It wouldn’t be an EHD post without some additional help via shopping options, so I dug up just a few of my personal picks at an affordable price point in varying lengths, depending on what your needs are.

Woven Modern Plaid Shower Curtain Ivory 2. Catalina Freshman | 3. Waffle Weave Shower Curtain | 4. RHODE Begonia Shower Curtain | 5. Botanical Floral Shower Curtain | 6. Colorblock Canvas Shower Curtain in LilacLinen Curtains 50″x63″ | 2. Linen Cafe Curtains Rust – Varied Lengths | 3. Light Filtering Honeycomb Curtain Tiers | 4. Tropical Garden Country Cottage Colorful Kitchen Curtain 44″X36″ | 5. Curtainking Striped Kitchen Curtain 26″x36″ | 6. Ticking Stripe Rod Pocket Tiers 50″ x 36″Sanela Room Darkening Velvet Curtains 55″x98″ | 2. Allen + Roth Slate Blue Room Darkening Thermal Curtain 52″x84″ | 3. Curtain Panels in Natural White 47″x98″ | 4. Preston Room Darkening Curtain Panel 50″x95″ | 5. Half Priced Drapes Faux Linen Room Darkening Curtains 100″x96″ | 6. Tibast Room Darkening Curtains Dark Red 57″x98″

Opening Image Credits: Design by Ryann Miller | Styling by Emily Bowser | Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: Ryann’s MOTO Reveal: A Moody Multi-Functional Living And Dining Room With A Lot Of Soul

The post EASY RENTER TIP! 7 Unique (& Surprisingly Helpful) Ways To Use Curtains In Your Rental (Well, Actually All Homes) appeared first on Emily Henderson.